The silence in the Shrieking Shack was razor-sharp. Snape's wand hovered inches from Pettigrew's trembling face, his knuckles white with restrained fury. Every breath he took was measured, but Harry could see it—the storm behind his eyes, the crack in his composure.
"Severus," Dumbledore repeated gently, stepping closer, "put your wand down."
Snape didn't move. His voice came out low, cold, and trembling with venom.
"He sold her. He handed Lily over like a trinket to be bartered—"
Pettigrew whimpered. "It was the Dark Lord! He—he threatened us all—"
Snape's lips curled. "You were cowardice given flesh, Pettigrew. You didn't hesitate. You didn't even blink when you signed their deaths." His wand pressed harder, magic sparking at the tip.
Harry shifted forward instinctively. "Professor—"
"Stay out of this, Potter," Snape barked without turning his gaze away. "You do not know what he deserves."
---
Dumbledore Intervenes
Dumbledore raised a calming hand, but his voice carried iron beneath the silk.
"If you kill him now, Severus, you rob Harry of his choice, and you rob us of justice."
Snape's shoulders tensed. His voice cracked like glass.
"Justice died with her."
The room felt suffocating. Harry had never seen Snape this raw—his fury wasn't sharp or theatrical as in class, but heavy, deep, like an old wound torn open.
Draco, standing frozen near the wall, whispered, "Bloody hell…" but neither Snape nor Harry acknowledged him.
Dumbledore stepped forward, his hand resting lightly on Snape's wrist.
"Severus," he murmured, low enough only Snape could hear. "Do not let your second chance drown in the same grief that killed you the first time."
Snape's eyes flicked to Dumbledore's, a thousand unsaid words hanging in that brief look.
Then, with a sharp exhale, he lowered his wand—but not without a hissed promise.
"You will answer for every breath you still draw, Pettigrew."
---
Harry Steps In
Harry moved closer to Pettigrew, his voice trembling. "You—you betrayed them. My mum and dad trusted you."
Pettigrew sobbed openly, groveling. "Harry, please—I didn't want to die!"
Harry's hands shook. He wanted to curse him, hex him, hurt him. But then he glanced at Snape.
The professor's jaw was tight, but his gaze was fixed entirely on Harry—watching him, waiting.
And Harry realized something. Snape wasn't just angry. He was… testing him.
Harry raised his wand, holding Pettigrew at bay. "You're going to the Dementors." His voice cracked but didn't falter. "You don't get an easy way out."
For the first time, Snape's expression softened—barely, but enough to notice.
---
The Binding Spell
Snape's wand flicked, binding Pettigrew in enchanted chains that glowed faintly silver. "He will not run this time," he said sharply. "Not while I'm breathing."
Draco exhaled shakily. "So this… this is what you've all been hiding?"
Harry shot him a sharp glance, but Draco's eyes weren't mocking. They were unsettled, almost… wary.
---
Dumbledore's Final Word
Dumbledore gave a firm nod. "We will take him to the castle. Fudge will have no choice but to believe this time."
But Snape didn't move right away. His eyes stayed locked on Pettigrew, every muscle in his body tense, like restraining himself from finishing what he'd started.
"Go on," Dumbledore said softly, his tone still gentle but brooking no argument. "Severus."
Finally, Snape turned away, his robes snapping sharply as he strode past Harry and Draco toward the exit.
---
Outside – The Forest Path
The night air was cold, sharp against their faces as they stepped out of the shack. Harry followed Snape, whose steps were brisk and purposeful, but Harry could feel it—the quiet tremor in him, as if even his second chance wasn't enough to settle the ghosts clawing at his chest.
Draco fell in step behind Harry, unusually silent, his gaze darting between Harry and Snape like he was watching pieces of a puzzle he didn't yet understand.
Harry quickened his pace to match Snape's. "Professor," he began hesitantly, "you… didn't have to stop."
Snape didn't slow. "No, Potter," he replied, voice low and bitter. "I had to."
For the first time, Harry saw how much it cost him to say those words.
And for reasons Harry couldn't quite explain, he respected him for it.